🗣️ “When you watch him against Bournemouth you understand that he is just wasting his prime in West Ham… don’t let them put you down with a name. Leave before it’s too late.” – Theo Walcott on West Ham star
Former England international Theo Walcott has delivered a brutally honest verdict on a West Ham player following the Hammers’ frustrating display against AFC Bournemouth.
Speaking after the match, Walcott suggested the forward’s talent is being limited by his current environment, insisting the player should be aiming higher during the peak years of his career. According to Walcott, performances like the one against Bournemouth prove the attacker is capable of shining on a much bigger stage, but risks stagnating if he remains where he is.
“He has everything — pace, movement, intelligence — but football is about timing,” Walcott said. “If you stay too long in one place, people start to define you by the badge instead of your ability. Don’t let them put you down with a name. Leave before it’s too late.”
The comments quickly sparked debate among fans, especially as the player in question has been one of West Ham United’s most consistent performers this season. Midway through the discussion, Walcott finally named who he was talking about — Jarrod Bowen — claiming the winger-forward hybrid is “ready-made for a top-six club.”
Despite his loyalty to the Hammers, Bowen’s form continues to attract attention across the league, and Walcott believes a transfer could unlock another level in his game. “He’s in his prime years now,” Walcott added. “This is the moment players either take the leap or look back with regret.”
With the summer window approaching, Walcott’s words may linger in the background as West Ham fight to keep hold of their key man — and as Bowen weighs whether his future truly lies in claret and blue.
